GEOL 1010-003Introduction to Physical GeologyJoseph R. SmythOffice Benson 340BOffice Hours 9-10 Tues/ThursGEOL 1010-003• Web Site:http://ruby.colorado.edu/~smyth/G1010syl.html•Text:– Understanding Earth Third Edition (Press and Siever)2000GEOL 1010-003• Test policy:– Four hour exams (last one optional)– Final Exam (comprehensive) May 8– Take the best four out of five.• (You can skip the final if you’re happy with firstfour)– Homeworks and class exercises are extra-credit.Physical Geology• Field Science– Descriptive of the Earth– Observations and Hypothesis are based in Field• Laboratory– Experiments to explore and test hypothesesEarth Processes• External Heat Engine– Thermonuclear Fusion in Sun– Drives most surface processes (atmosphere andocean circulation, weathering, and sedimentation)• Internal Heat Engine– Radioactive decay of U, Th, and K– Drives internal processes (volcanoes, earthquakes,plate movement, magnetic field)Course Outline• Introduction• Minerals• Rocks• Igneous Rocks• Volcanism• Weathering &Erosion• Sedimentary Rocks• Metamorphic Rocks• Geologic Time• Folds & Faults• Mass Wasting• Hydrology• Streams & Rivers• Wind & Deserts• Glaciers• Landscape EvolutionCourse Outline• Oceans & Coasts• Earthquakes• Earth’s Interior• Plate Tectonics• Continental Crust• Energy andMineral Resources• Earth Systems andHuman ImpactsScientific Method• Observation (fact)–This is a repeatable measurement or experiment• Hypothesis– One or more possible explanations to link observations• Testing– Further experiment or observation to test hypothesis– Non-testable hypotheses also rejected• Theory– A grand or unifying hypothesis that has survived tests– Relativity, Evolution, Plate tectonicsRocks are Composed of Minerals• Igneous -– Crystallized from melts– Surface - Volcanic; Subsurface - Intrusive• Sedimentary -– Deposited from air and water on the surface• Metamorphic– Recrystallized from pre-existing igneous orsedimentary rocks.Geologic Time Scale• Phanerozoic Cenozoic• Mesozoic• Paleozoic Permian 286• Pennsylvanian 320• Mississippian 360• Devonian 408• Silurian 438• Ordovician 505• Cambrian 570• Proterozoic 2500• Archean
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